Good news for Broncos: Buckhalter back at practice

Running back Correll Buckhalter, who sprained his ankle against Dallas on Oct. 4, returned to practice Wednesday as the Broncos started preparing for Monday’s game at San Diego.

Buckhalter had his left ankle re-taped during stretching and took hand-offs and caught screen passes during the early portion of practice that was open to the media. Rookie Knowshon Moreno took the first repetitions.

Moreno took the bulk of the carries — including several direct snaps in the “wild horse” formation — but the Broncos running game has been most effective when Buckhalter and Moreno have both been active.

The Broncos will not release an injury report until Thursday (because of the extra prep day), so we won’t know until tomorrow if Buckhalter was otherwise limited in practice.

While Buckhalter returned, No. 3 tailback LaMont Jordan did not practice. None of the running backs were in the locker room in the open session before practice.

The only other absent player was linebacker Spencer Larsen, who is recovering from a shoulder injury.

Awesome news for the Broncos! Loved watching Moreno in there last week, but he needs some relief back there with how hard he runs every down.

Mississippi

I'm so glad that Buck is back it give our offense another play maker.

sherricameron

Hey Josh just keep doing what you are doing to keep us winning. I am a true Bronco Fan and I live in Kansas,and everybody wonders why I don't care too much for those Chiefs never have.So just keep everybody focus and don't get too cockie cause we still have a long season ahead and more competition.Just keep winning so I can keep wearing my GEAR. Go Brandon Marshall I knew you were our BEAST. Love that name for you. Good Luck Guys Monday Night.

Ken

It's nice to see Correll Buckhalter working out with the Broncos again after being out with an injury. Knowshon is turning into a pretty solid player, but Denver needs Buckhalter in the backfield to give Knowshon a rest. “Buck” is making plays as well. Go Broncos–keep the winning streak going.

mikemon1

What's going on with Payton Hillis? Is he hurt–in the doghouse–what?? JMcD has a weapon that he doesn't want to use–why? He's better than Jordan who is always hurt an a better runner. How come nobody answers this question?GO BRONCOS

SantaBarbaraDave

Allow me to make the introductions…Moreno, Buckhalter, this is Merriman…try to remember that when you wake up.

ihatecutler

Really. Are you talking about the girl-friend beater Merriman. Because that is all he has been hitting lately!

Name

Why is Buchhalter's return good news? The best news would be that Buckhalter and Jordan were out for the season. You're right — the Broncos' running game has been most effective when Buckhalter and Moreno are both active, but there is a very good reason for this and it has nothing to do with their abilities. They are the only two McD will play and neither of them did anything to earn their positions. The only reason Buckhalter is starting is because McD signed this career second and third teamer to a lucrative contract and it would look bad to have done that then sit him on the bench. And I vote with Mike — Where is Hillis?? Why is he not playing? It is fairly obvious that he and Moreno could easily be the better tandem.

Mike Klis has been with The Denver Post since 1998, after working 13 years with the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. Major League Baseball was Klis' initial passion. He started covering the Colorado Rockies after Coors Field was approved for construction in August 1990.

Nicki Jhabvala is the Sports Digital News Editor for The Denver Post. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor, and she was most recently the overnight home page editor at the New York Times. She has reported regularly on the Broncos since joining the staff.

A published author and award-winning journalist, Benjamin Hochman is a sports columnist for The Denver Post. He previously worked on the staff of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, winners of two Pulitzer Prizes for their Hurricane Katrina coverage.